SONOMA
Sardar, Jennings, Oliver in panel discussion on design: Cornerstone in Sonoma will host a panel discussion Oct. 17 featuring author and design critic Zahid Sardar, Bay Area arts patron Steve Oliver and noted San Francisco architect Jim Jennings.
Jennings collaborated with Oliver on a visiting artist's studio at Oliver's Geyserville Ranch that has been widely acclaimed in the design world and is featured in Sardar's new book, "West Coast Modern Architecture, Interiors & Design."
The two-hour talk begins at 5:30 p.m. at Artefact Design & Salvage within the Cornerstone complex. But ticket holders who arrive at 4:30 p.m. can take a guided tour of the installation gardens. Cost is $20. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets visit westcoastmodern.eventbrite.com. For information, 933-3010. 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma.
SANTA ROSA
Advice on caring for oaks: Do you know how to care for the oak trees in your yard? Forester Bruce Hagen and oak ecologist Steve Barnhart will show you how during a class Oct. 19 at Pepperwood Preserve in Santa Rosa.
The class will offer a comprehensive foundation for maintaining the health of oak trees via landscaping, irrigation and managing the growing environment. It will conclude with a hike on the preserve to check out some of its many oaks.
Hagen worked as a forester for Cal Fire for 20 years and as an entomologist with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for nearly 10 years. He is a registered professional forester, a certified arborist, and a qualified tree risk assessor. Steve Barnhart taught biology, botany and ecology at Santa Rosa Junior College for 37 years. He currently serves as Pepperwood's academic director and is a renowned expert on California oaks.
The 3,200-acre Pepperwood Preserve is a community-supported ecological institute that conducts applied research and provides educational programming.
The class will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $30. Register online by searching for "Pepperwood" at www.brownpapertickets.com.
Pepperwood is located at 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Road, midway between Santa Rosa and Calistoga, off Franz Valley Road, and adjacent to Safari West. For more information, pepperwoodpreserve.org or 591-9310 ext. 204.
GRATON
Think winter for fall flower show: "Winter Wonderland" is the theme of The Graton Community Club's Fall Flower Show Oct. 11 and 12.
The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event features flowers and displays by Community Club members, as well as a plant sale, handmade crafts and gifts and antiques and collectibles. Admission is free. Lunch will be available for $10 and beverages and desserts on sale all day for snacking. Proceeds support the club's scholarship program. 8996 Graton Road, Graton.
SANTA ROSA
Native plants and more on sale: The Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will hold its annual fall plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building.
Stock up on California native plants suitable to the North Coast climate including trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, groundcovers, and ferns. There will also be a wide selection of seeds and bulbs, as well as books on gardening with native plants, local flora, posters, notecards and a newly designed T-shirt by Pamela Glasscock.
A special feature of the sale will be a selection of habitat plants that attract birds and butterflies. The display will be staffed by Nancy Bauer, author of "The California Wildlife Habitat Garden."
Members will be on hand to offer advice on gardening with California natives. For a list of plants available, visit milobaker.cnps.org. 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa. 578-0595.
SANTA ROSA
Workshop on plant propagation: Garden designer Gail Fanning will demonstrate how to propagate plants during a hands-on workshop Oct. 19 at the Harvest for the Hungry Garden in Santa Rosa.
Fanning will show how to create new plants from perennials and shrubs like rosemary and roses using soft wood cuttings. The free workshop will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. 484-3613.
SANTA ROSA
Student nursery offers bargains: Willowside School's nursery offers good bargains on a wide selection of plants suitable for fall planting.
The student nursery will hold its sale next Saturday, Oct. 19 — rain or shine — featuring perennials, roses, grasses, trees, succulents and more. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 5299 Hall Road at Willowside Road in Santa Rosa. For information, 569-4724.
HEALDSBURG
A nod to region's Russian heritage: The Russian River Rose Company celebrates the end of the season Oct. 19 and 20 with a Russian Tea & Fragrance Festival inspired by the region's history of Russian settlers and the Russian heritage of owner Mike Tolmasoff.
The festivities include live folk, Slavic and Gypsy music, tea leaf readings, rose tea samplings, rose water-infused nibbles by Chef Jake Martin of Restaurant Charcuterie of Healdsburg and cups of Russian "Sweee-touch-nee Tea" prepared in antique Russian samovars. Visitors are invited to stroll the gardens, still colorful with late blooming roses.
Cost is $5. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1685 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg. 433-7455 or russian-river-rose.com.
ALBION
Last open house at Digging Dog: Digging Dog Nursery co-owner Deborah Whigham will lead a stroll through her impressive demonstration gardens during the Mendocino Coast nursery's last open house of the season Oct. 12. During the 2 p.m. walkabout, Whigham will also offer her expertise to help visitors with their garden problems. Refreshments will be served as part of the tour, free to nursery guests.
Throughout the weekend of Oct. 12-13, the nursery will also offer 20 percent to 40 percent discounts on plants.
Digging Dog is at 31101 Middle Ridge Road, Albion. It is wheelchair accessible. For information, 937-1130 or diggingdog@diggingdog.com.
You can direct Home and Garden news to Meg.McConahey@pressdemocrat.com or by calling 521-5204.
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